Oldham councillor's car torched in targeted arson attack
Councillor Josh Charters' Mini Cooper was torched outside his Ripponden Road home on January 13 by a balaclava-clad attacker in what police called a 'targeted attack'. The arson follows similar incidents including council leader Arooj Shah's car firebombing in 2021 and an independent candidate's vehicle being set ablaze. Over 80% of councillors nationwide struggle to recruit candidates due to online abuse (85%) and in-person threats (78%), with Oldham's new town hall featuring bullet-proof security doors. The intimidation campaign is deterring potential candidates ahead of May's local elections, with one senior source revealing people are 'scared about the abuse they'll get'.